Electric vehicle chargers are popping up in apartment car parks, office basements, shopping centres and service stations across Australia. The hardware gets plenty of planning, but the signage often gets left until someone complains that a petrol car has parked in the only charging bay. Good EV signage keeps bays free for the people who need them, tells drivers how long they can stay, and keeps cables and equipment safe.
This guide covers the signs most sites need around an EV charger, the wording that works, and how to choose a size and material that will last in a car park.
Why EV charging bays need their own signs
A painted bay and a charger on the wall are not enough on their own. Drivers who don't own an EV often don't realise the bay is reserved, and EV drivers need to know the rules before they plug in. Clear signs help you:
- Stop non-EV parking in charging bays, which is the most common complaint from EV owners.
- Set a time limit so one car doesn't sit on the charger all day.
- Keep people clear of cables that run across walkways while a car is charging.
- Tell users who to call when a charger is faulty or out of order.
The four EV signs most sites use
1. EV charging bay only
The basic bay marker. Mount it on the wall or a post at the head of the bay so it is visible from the driver's seat. Our EV Charging Bay Only Sign is the most popular starting point for strata and commercial car parks.
2. Electric vehicles only while charging
If you don't want EVs parked in the bay once they have finished charging, say so. The Electric Vehicles Only While Charging Sign makes the rule clear and gives building managers something to point to.
3. Time limit signs
Shared chargers work best with a maximum stay. A Maximum 2 Hours While Charging Sign keeps bays turning over in visitor car parks and workplaces.
4. Cable and fault signs
Where a charging cable crosses a footpath or bay line, an EV Charger In Use โ Keep Clear of Cable Sign warns pedestrians. A Report Faults sign with your phone number saves you finding out about a broken charger from a bad review.
Wording tips
- Keep it short. Drivers read the sign from a moving car, so the main message should be readable in two seconds.
- Put the rule first and the detail second: "EV CHARGING ONLY" in large letters, then the time limit or conditions underneath.
- If you enforce the bay (for example with towing on private property), check your state's rules on what the sign must say before you order. Requirements differ between states and councils.
- Use the same wording on every bay in the building so the rules feel consistent.
More EV charging signs
Electric vehicle charging station ยท Danger, electric vehicle high voltage system, do not touch ยท Do not attempt to extinguish an EV charger fire
NSW parking signs: No parking, EVs excepted while charging ยท No parking, EVs excepted ยท Timed parking, EVs only ยท Timed parking, EVs while charging only
E-bikes and scooters are covered in our e-bike charging signs guide.
Choosing size and material
Most EV bay signs are ordered at 300mm x 450mm for wall or post mounting, or 225mm x 300mm where space is tight. Outdoors or in open car parks, choose aluminium or ACP for a long life. In dim basements, a reflective finish lights up in headlights, which makes a big difference when drivers are looking for the right bay. Indoor walls can use a vinyl sticker on a clean, smooth surface.
For mounting, choose pre-drilled holes for screwing to a wall, post mount holes for a bollard or pole, or double-sided tape for smooth indoor surfaces. Fixings aren't included, so use ones suited to your surface.
Matching your car park
If your building already uses silver and black statutory signs, our EV Charging Sign โ Silver & Black matches the same look. For the rest of the car park, browse our parking signs and car park signs.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a sign for every EV bay?
One sign per bay is the clearest approach, especially where the bays are spread out. Side-by-side bays can share a sign with a double-headed arrow, but drivers are less likely to miss a sign directly in front of them.
Can I add my building name or phone number?
Yes. Several of our EV signs have a custom text option, and we can make a fully custom sign through our custom signs range.
How quickly will my signs arrive?
Every sign is made to order and dispatched in 2โ3 business days, with flat $20 shipping Australia-wide and free standard shipping on orders over $500. Ordering 25 or more of the same sign? Bulk discounts apply automatically at checkout.
Related guides
Related: E-bike and e-scooter charging signs
Looking for something else? Browse every guide in our Sign Guide Library.